RHAM continues to assess traffic patterns in wake of teacher's death

Melanie Savage, Staff WriterReminder News

Several months after a tragic accident in the school parking lot took the life of RHAM middle school teacher Dawn Mallory, the town of Hebron and the RHAM district are still struggling to figure out how to prevent a similar tragedy from occuring again. In mid-July, the attorney representing the family of Dawn Mallory filed a notice of intent to sue the town of Hebron. Attorney Joe Barnes claims that the town did not provide a safe and properly maintained access road with proper signage. Barnes is waiting for the completion of a police investigation before making a final decision whether to sue the town, and potentially the driver of the vehicle that struck Mallory.

Mallory, age 65, was struck the morning of March 17 as she was crossing from the staff parking lot into the middle school. The driver of an SUV driven by the parent of a RHAM High School student reportedly backed into Mallory after realizing she had driven into the bus lane at the middle school. Mallory fell, stuck her head, and sustained a severe head injury. She died two weeks later in the hospital.

Mallory was well-liked by staff and students at RHAM, as well as students at Three Rivers Community College, where she also taught math. "Mrs. Mallory is the best math/algebra teacher I have ever had," is a typical comment left on the website ratemyprofessors.com. "Thanks to her I finally gained appreciation for the subject and got A's in assignments and test. Wonderful human being," wrote a Three Rivers student last November.

Immediately after the accident, RHAM administration undertook steps to improve the safety of the parking lot, including signage, speed bumps, re-routing of traffic and buses and stationing a constable on site during drop-off and pick-up hours. According to RHAM Superintendent Robert Siminiski, "the steps taken during the previous academic year were temporary." RHAM has hired a consultant, BETA Group, to assess the traffic patterns and make recommendations. "I am not sure at this point what the consultant will recommend for next year," said Siminski.

A public hearing held at RHAM on July 17, was intended to provide an update on the traffic study and allow for community input. Siminski's office received a number of emails prior to the meeting. Two residents remarked upon the number of parents opting to drive their children to school. "If most students rode the bus, there would be a lot less traffic congestion and problems," wrote one parent, who said he had two children attending the RHAM district. "I would suggest that students be strongly encouraged, if not mandated (absent valid reasons), to utilize the bus service that is provided for all towns in the RHAM district," wrote the parent.

Another parent agreed. "I am amazed and question why so many parents are/need to be driving their children to school every day, when we have excellent bus transportation," he wrote.

BETA Group senior associate Jim Ford told residents to expect recommendations for the short-term in approximately a month.